Craft Focus - Jun/Jul (Issue 73)

26 NEW CRAFT SECTOR FOR HOME & GIFT With an expansive offering for its July show, Home & Gift remains one of the industry’s favourite events. For 2019, the experience has been enhanced, with access to more than 800 exhibitors and three brand-new curated sectors, including a dedicated craft area. Visitors will also have a chance to hear from high-profile speakers at the ShopTalk stage. The 2019 edition will see the launch of Match, an initiative that aims to connect suppliers and retailers through a VIP hosting programme and a range of online tools. “Home & Gift is unlike any other trade show and that’s why it is loved by the industry,” explains show director Louise Morris. “Not only is it the perfect time to secure orders for the most important season, it is also where the industry comes together to celebrate relationships. Retailers and exhibitors can do business against the beautiful backdrop of Harrogate, making it the most majestic buying experience. In this challenging climate it’s more important to us than ever before that the 2019 show is a platform for meaningful connections, shared learnings and festivity. It’s a truly unmissable event.” This year’s debut sectors are Design Now, featuring a selection of products that promise innovation and creativity. Craft will showcase handmade products from the UK and around the world, allowing visitors to discover pieces directly from artists, makers and craftspeople. Taste will feature giftable food and drink products, with emerging and well-known brands side-by-side. New exhibitors will include Premier Decorations, Transomnia, Kikkerland, Le Toy Van, S’ip by S’well, Designed in Colour, Tyrell Katz and Caspari. Returning favourites Jellycat, Caroline Gardner, Wild & Wolf, Sass & Belle by RJB Stone, Gisela Graham, Joe Davies, Sophie Allport, Heathcote & Ivory and Village Candle will also be in attendance. At ShopTalk, visitors will hear from inspirational industry speakers, with presentations by Emma Edmondson, deputy store director at Anthropologie, Matthew Galvin, co-founder of The Galvin Brothers, Linda Burns, personal shopping manager at Selfridges and Sophie Conran. Home & Gift 2019 will take place from 14 th -17 th July across the Harrogate Convention Centre and the grounds of The Majestic Hotel. Go to homeandgift.co.uk for more information. Consumer show news The Festival of Quilts 1 st -3 rd August NEC, Birmingham thefestivalofquilts.co.uk The Creative Craft Show 26 th -29 th September Westpoint Centre, Exeter stitchandhobby.co.uk Cake International 1 st - 3 rd November NEC, Birmingham cakeinternational.co.uk Craft4Crafters 17 th -19 th October Bath & West Showground craft4crafters.co.uk Stamperama will return to Harrogate Following a successful outing earlier in the year, Stamperama will return to Harrogate in November. The organiser plans to make this second show bigger, with more exhibitors, wide aisles, lots of seating and plenty of makes and takes. Hochanda TV will be bringing its team, along with Sarah and Vicky from Stamp Addicts, who continue their celebration of the company’s 21 st year. More than 30 exhibitors will attend, including The Art of Craft with John Lockwood, Tiger Lily Laser Crafts, HoneyDoo Crafts, Sweet Poppy Stencils, A Crafty Place, Dolly Dimples, Stampers Grove, Limetree Craft, Polkadoodles, Inkylicious and Crafty Roo. The show will open at the Yorkshire Event Centre on 9 th November 2019. Stamperama will also take place at Newbury Racecourse on 7 th July, with a range of handpicked exhibitors and an appearance from Hochanda TV. Visit stampaddicts.com for details.